Disclaimer – I don't own the characters, they belong to JK Rowling. All I own is the plot of this FANFICTION story.
Chapter 4
Realization
Hermione scrambled to her feet, pressed the ice-cream tub into George's hands and walked quickly towards Viktor Krum. He enveloped her in a tight hug, and she responded by squeezing him her usual bone-cracking way.
He laughed and let go of her. "How haf you been, Her-my-ninny?"
"I've been great!" squealed Hermione. "I thought you were training for Quidditch?"
"I thought I'd come and visit you for a bit. You haf two weeks till you go back to school, yes?"
"Yes, two weeks."
"Vell…surprise!"
He bent down and kissed Hermione. A surge of hostility came over George, and he felt an urge to tackle Krum.
When the couple broke apart, Hermione was smiling and blushing. Krum was looking at her with a grin on his face.
George's eyes narrowed, and he cleared his throat.
Hermione turned towards them, and then giggle. "Viktor, this is George Weasley, Ron's brother, and my new friend."
Viktor Krum nodded. "Yes, Her-my-ninny has spoken of you a lot in her letters. Apparently, you and your twin are practical jokers."
"Yes," said George. "We even have a joke shop in Diagon Alley, it's called Weasley's Wizard Wheezes."
"Triple W. Her-my-ninny has spoken of that as well."
"It's a brilliant joke-shop, Viktor! They've got products no one has ever thought of before!"
George felt his ears go hot as Hermione praised their joke-shop. He gave her a smile, and prolonged it, till Viktor Krum broke in.
"Yes, ve shall haf to go and see that, won't we, Her-my-ninny?"
"You'll love it!" exclaimed Hermione. "In fact, let's go now!"
Viktor Krum raised an eyebrow, but nodded. Hermione smiled at George, and then walked up the stairs into her and Ginny's bedroom.
George began conversing with his inner self.
Why am I acting like this, oh mighty brain?
Acting like what?
You know, idiot! When Krum came in, I got so…
It's called jealousy, fool.
Sarcasm Alert, and I know that very well.
George, I love you, really I do. But sometimes you're as thick as pudding.
Elucidate.
You obviously have a little crush on our dear, sweet, bookworm, Hermione Jane Granger.
George would have done a double take if Viktor Krum hadn't been in the room. His eyes grew wide, and disbelief began filling him up.
What? I can't have a crush on her! She's Hermione!
Meaning?
Come on, she's Hermione Granger! She was the nerdy, cute, bossy enemy turned friend of Ron's in first year…in second year, she had grown an inch taller, but with the same bushy hair, and a growing closeness to Harry and Ron. In third year, she was tall and pretty, and arguing with Harry and Ron all over the place, even though she cared for them a lot. In fourth year, she was so busy taking care of Harry, she was blind to everything else, beautiful, loving, caring…In sixth year, she was very jealous, and Ron was too thick to notice how attractive she had grown, and her friendship with them was magnified.
It's so dreadfully obvious you like her. In fact, I think you have, ever since first year.
George sighed inwardly. You're right. I've liked her since I first saw her. I saw her in Diagon Alley, while she was shopping for her books and wand, I guess. And she looked so eager, so excited…her face was shining! Usually I'd just cast it off as some other first-year, but there was something so special about her. But thanks to our black verses white differences, I've never told her. And now she's turned from the special first-year to the caring, loving, beautiful, smart seventh-year…Hermione Jane Granger. Who happens to be dating that GIT! Krum!
Why don't we give our Gittish friend some competition?
Prankster-Style? For Mione?
An evil grin broke out on George's face. He turned away from Krum, to hide it.
Pranks are my speciality.
Turn around.
Say what?
Turn around, you idiot. She's here.
Hesitantly, George prolonged the time turning around. When he did, his mouth fell open. Hermione had really dressed, for just a short tour.
She was wearing tight, dark blue jeans, and a loose, short-sleeved, aqua-blue top with the words "BOOKSMARTS" printed on it, and a picture of two books crossing underneath.
Her hair wasn't a bunch of frizz, rather, it was soft-looking brown curls that fell to her shoulders, and to finish off the splendid image, she was wearing sparkly white sneakers.
No curves, no killer figure. But she still looks adorable…he thought, dreamily.
True, in a way.
She met George's gaze, and smiled shyly. George looked at Krum, who was busy looking at the fireplace
Git.
Competition isn't much, eh?
"I'm ready!" announced Hermione.
Viktor turned around, and laughed. "You look very nice!"
That's all he can come up with? You look very nice?
I wonder why she's not kissing you now. Oh yes, because Viktor is her BOYFRIEND and despite his "flaws" in your point of view, there's something about him that she likes, a lot.
They began heading out the door. George made sure to stay extra close to Hermione. When they were outside the gate, George was about to Apparate, when…
"Wait! I want to Side-Apparate with someone, I don't have my license yet," said Hermione.
As if automatically, she stepped towards Viktor's side. Anger and jealousy poured through George, and he glared at the couple. Hermione gripped Viktor's wrist tightly as he closed his eyes. She even moved closer to him, with a nervous look on her face.
George closed his eyes to focus on Diagon Alley as well, but the only thing he could focus on was Hermione squeezing Krum's wrist…not his.
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So, what do you all think? Is it good enough to make up for a long delay? Please review!!!
